George Segal plays Walter Whitney, a man who has changed his name from Wisenthal to Whitney to fit in with his new life in California. He is married to Vivian (played by Susan Saint James) and works for his father-in-law Nelson (played by Jack Warden). Dick Martin is hysterical as his pot-smoking attorney and friend. Tom Poston has a small role as the minister. This film is about a lot of things. For starters, Walter learns that his ex-girlfriend Lorraine Porter had a son, Roger (played by Denzel Washington in one of his first roles). After all, Walter is shocked to learn that she and him have a son, Roger, a 17 year old African American. Anyway, this news doesn't go well for Walter's life. His father-in-law fires him. He loses his car, his wife, his adoptive daughter, and his place in San Marino society. He and Roger move into a motel and they get reaction regarding their relationship as father-son. Nobody believes him. Still the film has a lot of problems regarding script but a first rate cast also featuring Paul Whitfield as well. Still if you are truly a Denzel Washington fan, you will get through it. There is some negative humor though that it might be considered highly offensive but this film is nearly 30 years old. Walter and Roger take turns in each other's worlds and you wonder if they can ever fit in or find out who they really are. After all, Walter changed his name, his religion and ethnicity, and married Vivian instead of his true love, Lorraine in the 1960s.
Review of Carbon Copy
